Chloe Adams
Hanukkah, also known as the Jewish festival of lights, is a joyous holiday that celebrates the miracle of a day's quantity of oil burning for eight days in the menorah in the Temple. The menorah holds eight candles, one for each night, and an extra ninth candle, known as the shamash or helper candle, which is used to light the others. The shamash is placed in the centre or on one side, separate from the other candles. On the first night of Hanukkah, the shamash is lit first, followed by one other candle. On the second night, the shamash lights two candles, and so on, until all eight candles are lit on the final night. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left but are lit from left to right. The menorah is traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside a door, to spread light to others.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of candles | 8 per night, plus an extra "helper" candle called the shamash |
| Candle arrangement | Candles are placed in the menorah from right to left, but lit from left to right |
| Timing | Candles are lit just after dark each night of Hanukkah (except on Fridays, when the menorah is lit before dark to avoid lighting during Shabbat) |
| Location | The menorah is traditionally placed in a window, on a table, or outside a door |
| Blessings | Three blessings are recited on the first night, and two on each subsequent night |
| Song | After the blessings, the song Ma'oz Tzur (Rock of Ages) is traditionally sung |
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The shamash candle
In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash candle is lit first, followed by the other candles from left to right. However, in Sephardi communities, an extra candle is used to light the candles representing the nights, and then the shamash is lit last. On the first night of Hanukkah, only two candles are placed in the menorah: the shamash and another candle designating the first night. Each subsequent night, an additional candle is added until all nine candles are lit on the final night.
The Hanukkah menorah, also known as the hanukkiah, symbolises the miracle of one day's quantity of oil burning for eight days in the Temple of Jerusalem. This miracle is commemorated by lighting the candles each night, ensuring they burn for at least 30 minutes after sunset, and reciting blessings.
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Blessings and prayers
Before the candles are lit, it is customary to recite blessings. On the first night of Hanukkah, three blessings are said, and on subsequent nights, two blessings are recited. The blessings can be said in Hebrew, sung to a traditional tune, or simply recited in English if Hebrew is challenging. Here are the blessings:
First Blessing
Hebrew: Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha'olam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvotav v’tzivanu l’hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.
English Translation: Blessed are You, O Lord Our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah.
Second Blessing
Hebrew: Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha'olam, she-asah nisim laavoteinu v’imoteinu bayamim hahaim baz’man hazeh.
English Translation: Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who performed wondrous deeds for our ancestors in days of old at this season.
Third Blessing (only recited on the first night)
Hebrew: Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech Ha'olam, shehecheyanu, v'kiy'manu, v'higiyanu, laz'man hazeh.
English Translation: Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.
The blessings are followed by the kindling of the candles, with a new candle being lit first and then used to light the others. This ritual is repeated for all eight nights of Hanukkah, adding one candle each night until the entire menorah is illuminated on the final night.
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Placement
The placement of the Hanukkah menorah is an important part of the tradition. The menorah should be placed in a window, on a table, or outside your door. It should be positioned somewhere visible from the street, such as a window facing the street, or a doorway. This is to publicise the miracle of Hanukkah, as per the express purpose of the mitzvah.
The menorah should be placed somewhere safe, away from children and flammable materials. It should also be placed somewhere that it won't be knocked over, to avoid a fire hazard.
The candles should be placed in the menorah from right to left, as Hebrew is written right to left. However, the candles are lit from left to right, so that the newest candle is lit first. On the first night of Hanukkah, the shamash, or helper candle, is placed in its own designated spot, usually in the centre, and another candle is placed in the right-most spot. On the second night, another candle is added, in the slot third to the right. This pattern continues for each night of Hanukkah, with a new candle added and lit first, until the eighth night, when all nine candles are lit.
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Lighting order
The Hanukkah menorah has eight branches for candles, one for each night of Hanukkah, and a ninth branch for the shamash, or helper candle. The shamash is used to light the other eight candles and is usually placed in the centre or to the side, at a different elevation.
On the first night of Hanukkah, place one candle in the holder on the far right of the menorah. Light this candle with the shamash, then put the shamash back in its spot, leaving it lit.
On the second night, light the candle second from the right, then the candle on the far right, and replace the lit shamash. On the third night, light the candle third from the right, then the second from the right, then the far right, and replace the lit shamash. Continue this pattern for each night of Hanukkah, always lighting the newest candle first. On the eighth night, you will be lighting all of the candles, starting at the far left.
The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left but are lit from left to right. The shamash is lit first, and it is used to light the other candles. In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash is lit first, and in Sephardi communities, an extra candle is used to light the others, and the shamash is lit last.
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Lighting times
The lighting of the menorah is a sacred tradition during Hanukkah. The menorah should have eight spots for candles—one for each night—and an extra ninth spot for the shamash, or helper candle, which is used to light the others.
The menorah is traditionally lit just after sunset each night of Hanukkah. However, on Fridays, the menorah is lit before sunset to avoid lighting candles during Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest. On Saturday nights, the candles are lit after sunset, once Shabbat has ended.
On the first night of Hanukkah, the shamash is lit first, followed by a single candle placed in the holder on the far right of the menorah. On the second night, the shamash is used to light the candle second from the right, and then the candle on the far right is lit. This pattern is repeated each night, always lighting the newest candle first. By the eighth night, all nine candles are lit, with the shamash at the centre and the other eight candles arranged to its left and right.
The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left but are lit from left to right. This means that the first candle lit each night is the one being kindled for the first time.
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Frequently asked questions
Your menorah should have eight spots for candles and an extra ninth spot for the shamash or helper candle. On the first night of Hanukkah, only two candles are placed in the menorah: the shamash and another candle for the first night. Each night, another candle is added until all nine candles are lit on the eighth and final night.
The shamash candle is usually placed in the centre or on one side, separated from the other eight candles. The eight candles must be arranged in a straight, even line, not in a zigzag or with some lights higher than others.
The menorah is traditionally lit just after sundown each night of Hanukkah. However, on Fridays, the menorah is lit before sundown to avoid lighting candles during Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest.
First, light the shamash candle using a match, lighter, or another flame source. Then, use the shamash to light the other candles from left to right. On the first night of Hanukkah, light one candle with the shamash. On the second night, light two candles, and so on.
After lighting the candles, it is customary to recite blessings and songs, such as the Hanukkah Blessing and Ma'oz Tzur (Rock of Ages). The menorah is then placed in a window, on a table, or outside a door where it can be seen from the street.
